{"id":10584,"date":"2025-11-05T01:47:22","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T01:47:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/books-we-read\/?p=10584"},"modified":"2025-10-27T21:19:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T21:19:27","slug":"cancer-ada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/books-we-read\/cancer-ada\/","title":{"rendered":"Disability Awareness: Cancer and the ADA"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"October is Disability Awareness Month, and it\u2019s a great time to talk about something that, in our experience, many people don\u2019t realize: cancer can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA<\/a>). Whether someone is newly diagnosed, in treatment, or in remission, the ADA offers support and protection. Knowing and understanding them can make a big difference.<\/p>\n

The Office of Disability Services<\/a> (ODS) at Rutgers is here to help. Based on the ADA, students are entitled to reasonable accommodations, privacy, and protection from harassment. Support includes access to facilities, exemption from risky activities, and respectful treatment by faculty and staff. Let\u2019s break it down.<\/p>\n

Wait, cancer is a disability?<\/h4>\n

Yes, it can be. As a federal civil rights law, the ADA defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, which includes walking, concentrating, and even normal cell growth, which is directly affected by cancer. The ADA also protects people who have a history or record of an impairment, such as people with cancer in remission. If someone is treated unfairly because of their diagnosis, or even because someone thinks they have cancer, that\u2019s discrimination, which is illegal.<\/p>\n

What does this mean in real life?<\/h4>\n

If you are going to school with cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n

As an example, if a college student is recovering from cancer and still experiences fatigue or cognitive challenges due to treatment, they may be eligible for time-related academic accommodations such as extended test time, flexible deadlines, or even reduced course load. Modified attendance policies, such as make-up exams or alternative testing arrangements, allow for treatment-related absences. Remote participation options include Zoom classes and recorded lectures, to name a few.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

This story highlights challenges faced by students with invisible disabilities like cancer. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Registering with ODS<\/span><\/p>\n

At Rutgers, students must register with ODS<\/a> to access accommodations either by meeting with a coordinator to discuss their needs (traditional option), or, students who already know what accommodations they need also have a fast track option.<\/p>\n

You will have to present medical documentation that verifies your disability. This may include the original diagnosis, how it affects major life activities (e.g., concentration, mobility), and its impact on academic performance.<\/p>\n

2. Requesting a Letter of Accommodation (LOA)<\/p>\n

Once approved, you have to request a Letter of Accommodation that outlines the approved accommodations through a Letter of Accommodations Request Form<\/a>. You must request this letter each semester.<\/p>\n

This letter will be sent to the student and their professor. See more details<\/a>, including a sample email template.<\/p>\n

3. Communicating with the professors<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, you may want to share your LOA with your instructors early in the semester. Various types of accommodations include, among others:<\/p>\n